For those of you who are following this newsletter, it should have been easy to see that we skipped the month of January entirely.
In the few months from its start, we reached a small audience of people that are interested in weekly updates in Veterinary research, but we had to stand back and look carefully at what we achieved and where we want to take this journey.
We feel that there is much to say in Veterinary Science, a budding, growing field with still many missing tools, but we haven’t reached the sweet spot yet where we are able to deliver the max value to our audience.
And for this, we need you!
What would you like to read? Which news or articles would help you in your work?
Let us know as a comment on this newsletter or feel free to send us an email to info@lab4paws.com !
Stay tuned and enjoy this week’s newsletter!
Reviews
Guidelines for Treating Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumors: A Review and Analysis
Pimentel et al from the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais , Brazil, conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to create clinical guidelines for treating canine transmissible venereal tumors (TVT). The study focused on evaluating different treatment options for TVT, which is a type of cancer that can spread between dogs. The authors found that chemotherapy with a drug called vincristine is the most effective first-line treatment. Vincristine is usually given as an injection once a week, and most dogs respond well to this treatment, often achieving complete remission within a few weeks.
The review also discussed other treatment methods, such as surgery and radiation therapy, but emphasized that vincristine is the preferred choice due to its effectiveness. The authors highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and treatment to improve outcomes for affected dogs. Overall, the guidelines aim to help veterinarians provide better care for dogs with transmissible venereal tumors by summarizing the best available evidence on treatment options.
Pimentel, P. A. B., Giuliano, A., Odatzoglou, P., Ignatenko, N., Wenceslau, R. R., Almeida, I. O., da Silva, P. H. S., Costa, M. P.; Horta, R. D. S. (2025). Clinical Guidelines for Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour Treatment: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Veterinary and comparative oncology, 10.1111/vco.13038. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.13038
SGLT2 Inhibitors for Treating Diabetes in Cats
Cook et al. from the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences , USA, explored the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in managing diabetes in cats. The paper discusses two specific drugs, bexagliflozin and velagliflozin, which have recently been approved for treating feline diabetes. These medications work by helping the kidneys remove excess glucose from the blood, leading to lower blood sugar levels. They are particularly effective for newly diagnosed diabetic cats that still produce some insulin on their own.
The study highlights that these drugs can quickly improve blood sugar control and reduce symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst and urination. However, they should only be used in cats that have not been previously treated with insulin, as those cats may face serious complications like diabetic ketoacidosis. Overall, the findings suggest that SGLT2 inhibitors offer a promising new option for managing feline diabetes, but careful patient selection and monitoring are essential to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Cook, A. K., & Behrend, E. (2025). SGLT2 inhibitor use in the management of feline diabetes mellitus. Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics, 48 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), 19–30. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.13466
How Diet Affects Gallbladder Health in Dogs: A Review
In this publication, Fabio Alves Teixeira and co-authors from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science – São Paulo State University, UNESP , Brazil, reviewed how diet and nutrition can affect gallbladder health in dogs. The paper highlights that certain dietary components, such as fats and fiber, may influence the development of gallbladder diseases. The authors discuss different types of diets and their potential impacts on canine gallbladder function. They also emphasize the importance of understanding these nutritional factors to help prevent and manage gallbladder issues in dogs effectively. Overall, the review aims to provide insights into how proper nutrition can support canine health, particularly regarding gallbladder diseases.
Teixeira, F. A., Aicher, K. M.; Duarte, R. (2025). Nutritional Factors Related to Canine Gallbladder Diseases—A Scoping Review. Veterinary Sciences, 12(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12010005
SGLT2 Inhibitors: Can They Help Non-Diabetic Pets with Heart and Kidney Problems?
Elliott et al. from the Royal Veterinary College ,UK, examined whether sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors could help non-diabetic pets with heart and kidney diseases. The paper highlights that SGLT2 inhibitors are commonly used in humans to manage diabetes and have shown benefits beyond just lowering blood sugar. They can also protect the heart and kidneys, even in people without diabetes. The authors discuss the possibility of using these drugs in dogs and cats with heart or kidney problems, suggesting that they might improve health outcomes for these animals.
The study reviews how SGLT2 inhibitors work and their potential protective effects on the heart and kidneys. However, the authors note that more research is needed to fully understand which non-diabetic pets might benefit the most from these medications. Overall, the paper raises interesting questions about the broader use of SGLT2 inhibitors in veterinary medicine and encourages further investigation into their potential benefits for non-diabetic animals with specific health issues.
Elliott, J., ; Oyama, M. A. (2025). Sodium glucose transporter 2 inhibitors: Will these drugs benefit non-diabetic veterinary patients with cardiac and kidney diseases?. Journal of veterinary pharmacology and therapeutics, 48 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvp.13472
Diagnostics & Biomarkers
How Decorin, E-Cadherin, and EGFR Levels Affect Outcomes in Dog Mammary Tumors
In this article, Bethânia Almeida Gouveia from the Laboratory of USP – Universidade de São Paulo , Brazil, and her colleagues conducted a study on the prognostic implications of specific proteins—decorin, E-cadherin, and EGFR—in canine mammary tumors, both inflammatory and non-inflammatory. The research found that the expression levels of these proteins can provide important information about the likely outcomes for dogs with mammary cancer. Specifically:
1 Decorin: Lower levels of this protein were associated with worse prognosis.
2 E-Cadherin: This protein is important for cell adhesion; its reduced expression may indicate more aggressive tumors.
3 EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor): Higher levels of EGFR were linked to poorer survival rates.
The study suggests that measuring these proteins can help veterinarians predict how aggressive a dog’s mammary tumor might be and guide treatment decisions. Overall, understanding these factors can improve the management and outcomes for dogs diagnosed with mammary cancer.
Gouveia, B. A., Ramos, F. R., Silva, I. K. L., Oliveira, T. E. S., Vasconcelos, R. O., Xavier, J. G.; Strefezzi, R. F. (2025). Prognostic Implications of Decorin, E-Cadherin and EGFR Expression in Inflammatory and Non-Inflammatory Canine Mammary Carcinomas. Veterinary and comparative oncology, 10.1111/vco.13042. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.13042
Expression of PD-L1, PD-1, and CTLA-4 in Canine Oral Melanoma and Tumor Immune Cells
Greta Foiani from the Histopathology Laboratory, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie , Padua, Italy, and colleagues studied the expression of certain proteins—PD-L1, PD-1, and CTLA-4—in canine oral melanoma cells and the immune cells around the tumors. The research aimed to understand how these proteins, which are known to help cancer evade the immune system, are expressed in dog melanoma. They found that PD-L1 was present in all melanoma samples, especially at the edges where the tumor meets healthy tissue. PD-1 and CTLA-4 were also found in many of the tumors, mostly in immune cells that had entered the tumor.
The study suggests that these proteins might play a role in helping the cancer grow by suppressing the immune response. The authors believe that understanding these expressions could help develop better treatments for dogs with oral melanoma, potentially using therapies that target these immune checkpoints.
Foiani, G., Melchiotti, E., Capello, K., Porcellato, I., Brachelente, C., Iussich, S., Giacobino, D., Morello, E., Martano, M., Buracco, P.; Vascellari, M. (2025). PD-L1, PD-1, and CTLA-4 mRNA In Situ Expression by Canine Oral Melanoma Cells and Immune Cells of the Tumour Microenvironment. Veterinary and comparative oncology, 10.1111/vco.13039. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.13039
In Vitro
Interleukin-6 Helps Cancer Cells Change and Spread in Dog Throat Tumors
Noguchi and Shimonishi from the Laboratory of Veterinary Radiology, Graduate School of Veterinary Science, Osaka Metropolitan University , Japan, conducted a study on how interleukin-6 (IL-6) affects tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (a type of throat cancer in dogs). The research found that IL-6 plays a significant role in promoting a process called epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancer cells. EMT is important because it helps cancer cells become more mobile, allowing them to spread to other parts of the body.
The study showed that when IL-6 levels are high, it encourages these cancer cells to change shape and behavior, which can lead to increased invasion and metastasis. Overall, the findings suggest that targeting IL-6 could be a potential strategy for treating canine tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma by preventing the aggressive spread of the disease.
Noguchi, S.; Shimonishi, R. (2025). Interleukin-6 promotes the epithelial mesenchymal transition in canine tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma cells. Research in veterinary science, 183, 105487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105487
Clinical
Radiation Side Effects from Stereotactic Therapy for Canine Brain Tumors
Elliott et al from the Southfields Veterinary Specialists , UK, discussed the effects of a specific radiation treatment on dogs with brain tumors called meningiomas. Researchers looked at how effective and safe a treatment protocol was that involved giving dogs a total of 30 Gy of radiation over five days. They focused on both the immediate and delayed side effects of this treatment. The study found that some dogs experienced early side effects, such as worsening neurological symptoms, which occurred within weeks after treatment. However, most dogs showed improvement after receiving corticosteroid medication to manage these symptoms.
The study also evaluated how long dogs survived after treatment. It found that while some dogs had serious complications, many still responded well to the therapy, with some living significantly longer after treatment. Overall, the findings suggest that this radiation therapy can be beneficial for treating canine meningiomas, but careful monitoring for side effects is important.
Elliott, J. (2025), Early-Delayed Radiotoxicity Associated With Stereotactic Radiation Therapy Following a Daily 6 Gy × 5 (30 Gy) Protocol for Presumed Canine Intracranial Meningiomas. Vet Comp Oncol. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.13040
